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Council Votes Against Traffic Lights At Deadly Forest Road Junction

Plans to install traffic lights at a fatal junction in Newport have been voted down by the Isle of Wight Council's Cabinet.

Instead, the local authority proposes realigning hedgerows - and has suggested changes to signs on Forest Road.

The safety of the road's junction, with Whitehouse Road, has been in question after Islander Yvonne Copland died in a crash there in 2019.

Essex woman, Yaashmi Ravikumar, was sentenced for causing her death last year.

Although a police investigation apportioned no blame on the junction layout, the court heard how an officer driving the same route, noted that his sat-nav gave no verbal warning of the approaching junction.

Speaking following tonight's Cabinet meeting, Cllr Ian Ward, said the council was committed to improving road safety:

"This was an horrific collision in which a life was tragically cut short; we send our deepest condolences to the families involved and to all those affected.

"It was only right for us to consider what improvements could be made to this junction to help prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.

"Therefore, tonight, we have asked that a scheme be designed and costed to realign the hedgerow to improve visibility splays. This will be included in the 2021/22 Highways Capital Improvement Programme.

"In addition, we will review the speed limit along Forest Road and consider other measures such as a staggered junction, a protected right turn or replacing the current 'give way' junctions with 'stop' junctions.

"The changes will then be monitored to assess their impact."

The scheme will involve potential changes to the designation of the road junctions on two sides - from 'give way' to 'stop' - and realigning hedgerow to extend visibility splays when entering Forest Road from Whitehouse Road. 

In addition, speed limits could be reduced as part of an Island-wide strategic speed review. 

The installation of traffic lights - as requested in a petition lodged with the council following the collision - was not recommended as an option without a full review of all other potential schemes.

Costing up to £600,000, cabinet members heard a signalised junction at this rural location could potentially increase the number of collisions.

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